Happy Birthday to HRH the Duke of Edinburgh

Today is the official Queen’s Birthday Holiday here in Oz (one reason many Australians are against changing to a Republic is that we would lose an excuse for a long weekend), but as you all know, it isn’t actually her birthday. But it was the birthday of her consort, Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh on Saturday, when he turned a very respectable 90 years of age.

One of the endearing character traits of the Duke is what are often referred to as his trademark “gaffes”. Of course, these are really not so much “gaffes” as the manifestation of a highly insensitive, non-PC, devil-may-care, and “I’m almost the bloody king, after all, you know” sense of humour. Had he been a touch younger and moved in different crowds, he would have made an excellent addition to the Monty Python crowd.

About Schütz

I am Catholic, married to Cathy, father of Maddy & Mia. Since 2002, I have been the Executive Officer of the Ecumenical & Interfaith Commission of the Archdiocese of Melbourne. I was once a Lutheran pastor, but a "year of grace" and soul-searching led me into the Catholic Church. It was a bumpy ride, but with the support of my (still Lutheran) wife, I was finally confirmed on June 16, 2003.

6 Responses to Happy Birthday to HRH the Duke of Edinburgh

Yes Old Phil the Greek,was apparently a big hit with the ladies here in Melbourne,when he was in Australia with the British fleet during WW2.
I think one of his relatives is a saint in the Orthodox church- Grand Duchess Elizabeth,who was murdered by the Bolsheviks.

Thanks for this lead David. As a closet republican who dreads the loss of pomp and circumstance I found my self guffawing as the DoE would expect of me. Perhaps he is the last of the court jesters and as such has served Her Majesty’s government well. You are spot on with the observation about his inclusion in a Monty Python skit.
Happy Pentecost, may the Spirit of Incorrectness confound us all our days!!
Tony

My Mum recalled that when PHIL was out here on a visit on his own ,he went to Melbourne University and the students greeted him with a red carpet- old,mouldy and holey,and he laughed his head off. Perhaps a anarchic syndicalist greeting -to quote from Python’s HOLY GRAIL. For those days policially incorrect but for the right reasons.

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SCE is a blog in "the Spirit of Benny 16". It is a place to discuss Catholic Theology, Ecumenism, Interfaith relations, History, Liturgy, Philosophy and whatever topics are hot in the ecclesiastical world!

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The Schütz Model for a Elective Australian Constitutional Monarchy

I propose that
1) We replace the absentee monarch of Australia (who is also the Monarch of Great Britain) with an elected Australian monarchy.
2) The elected monarch exactly replaces the current monarch in the current constition.
3) The elected monarch has exactly the same powers, duties and responsibilities as those of the current absentee monarch. All the monarch's functions are carried out by his/her personal representatives (as is currently the case): federally by the Governor General, and in the states by the State Governors.
4) The Governor General and the Governors continue to be selected and appointed as they currently are, that is, by the premier with the approval of the monarch.
5) The monarch is elected to sovereignty over Australia for life, but his/her sovereignty is strictly non-hereditary.
6) The elective body is the "college of electors" comprised of the state governors and federal governor general.
7) The election of the monarch must be a unanimous decision on the part of the college of electors.

"The fervant Romanists have always this point in their favour: that they are ready to believe. And they have a desire for the conversion of men which is honest in exactly inverse ration to the dishonesty of the means which they employ to produce it."-- Anthony Trollope, "The Way We Live Now"

J.G. Schütz Family Arms

"The truth may be out there, but lies are inside your head."-- Terry Pratchet, Hogfather, page 242

"I really don't think I'm arrogant, but I do get impatient with people who don't share with me the same humility in front of the facts."--Richard Dawkins